Basketball ’99-‘01

Lorrie decided to continue her athletic and academic career at Iowa Lakes Community College because of her passion for basketball. Growing up, ILCC was a part of her family. She dreamed of being a Laker and wearing number 44. So, she decided to follow in the footsteps of her Dad and Sister and attend ILCC. She also made this decision because she wanted to stay close to her family and friends to have their support. ILCC also gave her the opportunity to play with her grade school and high school teammate Sarah Willey-Stokes. 

As a Laker, she was very effective earning 2nd Team All-Region in basketball and Honorable Mention in softball her freshman year. As a sophomore, Lorrie earned 1st Team All-Region in basketball and 1st team All-Region DH in softball. She scored 477 points in her final year, while averaging 18.3 points per game. 

Being involved in sports and staying in the community are some fond memories that Lorrie has about Iowa Lakes. She met a lot of new friends and created a lot of great memories. Coach Radtke kept the team united, while also allowing them to be themselves. There was always a great atmosphere at practice and during games. He helped the athletes develop from high school standouts to effective college athletes by demanding excellence and instilling responsibility. The girls truly became a family and created memories that Lorrie will cherish for a lifetime! Having the support from family, friends, and the community is a feeling that Lorrie will always remember. 

Lorrie was impacted by numerous Iowa Lakes staff members while attending Iowa Lakes. These employees include: basketball coach Brian Radtke, softball coach Mike Bosch, advisor and AD Darin Moeller, teacher and supporter Doug Lietz, Speech teacher Mary Miller-Burns, and Biology teacher Mary Larcheid. She also had many members of the community that impacted her time at Iowa Lakes as well. These people include: John and Carolyn Walz, Dr. Moreau, Jim and Julie Willey, who were lifetime supporters, and Sarah Willey-Stokes, who was a lifetime teammate. Sarah really carried Lorrie through all of the struggles of being a student-athlete. With all of these people mentioned, nobody had a bigger impact on Lorrie than her family, especially her dad Robert L. Grems. 

After graduating from Iowa Lakes, Lorrie attended Southwest Minnesota State University on a basketball scholarship. While there, she helped lead her team to an NSIC Conference Title. This team was the first team in school history to make it to the Sweet 16. Lorrie is ranked 3rd in Southwest Minnesota State University history for field goal percentage. 

Lorrie has been living in Phoenix, Arizona for the past 11 years. She has been married to her husband Ian for 9 years. They have three wonderful boys, Braylon (9), Jace (8), and Trindon (4). Lorrie has worked at Independence High School in Glendale, Arizona, for the past 10 years. She teaches 9-12 grade Physical Education and is the varsity basketball coach, varsity tennis coach, and assistant swim coach.

Lorrie would like to thank her dad for “pointing out the obvious” to her and choosing the best options for her and her education both at ILCC and SMSU. She would like to thank her mom for all of her support. Her mom has never missed a game, home or away! She encouraged and supported Lorrie throughout her career. She would also like to thank her sister, Jenny, for being her number one supporter, coming to all of her games, cheering loud, and taking all the pictures. Finally, she would like to thank her Grandpa Les for coming to most of her games at ILCC and one of her games at SMSU. He supported her and she loved to see him sitting by the NW door. 

Congratulations Lorrie Grems-Gardner on being named to the Laker Hall of Fame.